“During the (2003 San Simeon) earthquake, I pre-empted all the regular messages for emergency information. We replaced the system last year. I laughingly call it Radio Free Morro Bay,” he added.

As of May 24, “free” radio programming took another leap. An avid and diverse community group embraced the concept of a noncommercial FM station and funded the filing of the nonprofit application with the FCC under the name Estero Bay Community Radio.

Meanwhile, programming streams on the Web. Morro Bay is hosting the city license and transmitter site. The community group is managing the all-volunteer operations, with future fundraising in development.

Hal Abrams, who was appointed volunteer operations manager, has been entrenched in radio for decades. He created and operates the popular, nationally syndicated AnimalRadio.com, heard on KVEC 920 AM.

Abrams hosts “Morro Buzz” and has already secured some interesting guests such as Doris Day and Paula Poundstone, but he wants more locals.

“We moved to Morro Bay not long ago. I’d been offered a transmitter and talked to people like Bill,” Abrams said. “I honestly wasn’t sure where this would go, but the community embraced it.

“We are ahead of our timetable to complete our FCC application and nonprofit status. Having the city support and an established AM signal has helped,” he added. “We have an active board, and community volunteers provide the online programming. We need more people interested in providing content.”